Thankful Thursday

 

 

I fell asleep on my couch, but I can't let this evening end without expressing my gratitude

 

There are so many ways that I have seen God's hand over this past week, and experienced an outpouring of His grace and mercy

 

Last week I posted in the aftermath of what could have been viewed as a tragic event

 

And yet even in those moments I was able to see how God was orchestrating within the circumstances for my good

 

We had planned a full weekend of continued work getting my wife's parents' house ready to put on the market

 

But the doctor told me Friday morning I shouldn't do any lifting or strenuous work

 

I'm thankful Chris' cousin and her husband were in town for a few days and could pitch in to assist in moving stuff out of the house

 

Also thankful for my brother-in-law, Steve, who drove up from Virginia on Saturday to give us some much needed help

 

I'm grateful for the progress I've seen over the past week in the vision in my right eye; it's not back to what it had been before the accident, but it is getting pretty close

 

I'm thankful for the many who cried out to God on my behalf

 

Especially thankful that I serve a God who hears and responds to those prayers

 

God tells me that children are a blessing from Him; I experienced that blessing as I was able to connect with all four of our kids via Skype last weekend

 

There are times when I think modern technology might be a curse, but as I was able to talk to and see each of my kids who live so many miles away I expressed gratitude to God for the technology that allowed for that to happen

 

And I received a special blessing yesterday when I heard from my son, Adam, that he has some time off around Thanksgiving and will be able to come home for 6 days to spend that time with his mom and me

 

I'm thankful for airplanes that will help him get here and back!

 

I'm thankful for challenging conversations with other men this past week and for the way God uses those times to help point me in the direction I should go

 

I'm thankful for His patience with me

 

Thankful that even when I am faithless, He remains faithful because He cannot deny Himself

 

Thankful for His Spirit who indwells me and guides me

 

Thankful for God's word; grateful it is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.  I'm thankful for the time I can spend in His word each day, and I'm asking Him to speak to me through His word so that I might grow in my knowledge of Him

 

Thankful for grace

 

I've experienced it throughout my life in so many ways

 

Thankful that God's mercies are new every morning.  Can't wait to see what's in store for tomorrow!

Thankful Thursday

 

 

It's been a painful evening

 

I was working in my shop and had a spring come loose

 

Not sure exactly what happened, but received blunt trauma to my right eye

 

after a short period of intense pain, I opened my eye only to realize I couldn't see anything

 

I have much to be thankful for

 

Many praying family and friends

 

my eye doctor had office hours this evening and was able to fit me in

 

There is no visible tearing of the retina

 

I was able to get medicine to help start the healing process

 

my wife is a great nurse (and she didn't give me a hard time for doing something stupid!)

 

I've often said that no matter how bad my circumstances may seem, there is always something for which to be thankful.  This is a fine example of that truth

 

As I sat in the doctor's office waiting for the dilation drops to do their work, I began reciting Ps. 121

 

Thankful that I know where my help comes from

 

Thankful God is the creator of heaven and earth

 

Thankful God never slumbers or sleeps

 

Thankful He is my protector, my shield and the guardian of my way

 

I may not always understand His ways, but I know that He is good

 

I know that He holds me in His hand and there is nothing that can separate me from His love

 

So grateful for God's abiding presence, for His Spirit who indwells me and reassures me that I am His child

 

One of these days, I'm going to see Him face to face and worship in His presence forever

 

So thankful for that hope! 

 

 

Thankful Thursday

 

 

I don't know about you, but having a thankful heart can take quite a bit of effort at times

 

It does serve as a catalyst for right perspective though when I persevere in reminding myself of all I have to rejoice about

 

If I take the time to observe, I see God's hand of mercy and grace in so many ways

 

the gorgeous sunsets recently remind me that He still rules over the universe; I'm thankful the earth is still spinning

 

The fact that I got up out of bed this morning points me toward God's creative genius; thankful for body parts that move and function properly

 

Each day this week I've been able to go to work; it reminds me that God provides--so thankful

 

My son received a truck this week, donated to him to use as he serves the people of Texas.  We're calling it God's truck.  I thank God for His generosity and for the way he moves in peoples' hearts

 

I come home to a wonderful wife each day.  She is an expression of God's favor in my life for which I thank Him continually

 

I often stumble and get waylaid by sinful thoughts and actions.  God offers me forgiveness and His strong hand to pick me up and set me back on the right path.  I thank Him for His patience and persistence with me

Thankful Thursday

 

 

Got to sit out back and enjoy a glorious sunset this evening with my wife

 

Thankful for our million dollar view!

 

Thankful God is the most amazing artist!!

 

Thankful that the heavens continually proclaim His glory and all creation shouts forth His praise

 

Thankful God opened my eyes to the wonders of His grace and shows me mercy every day

 

Thankful He has put a new song in my heart

 

Had a call from my daughter yesterday.  She was just checking in on me to see if I was working by myself and needed some company

 

Thankful for all my kids and their support and encouragement

 

Thankful for technology that allows me to stay in touch with them even though they are scattered all over the country

 

Thankful for a God who is omnipresent...no matter where we are, He is there

 

Had an opportunity to sit down with my father-in-law for an hour on Wednesday morning

 

Thankful for that relationship

 

Thankful for the godly heritage passed down through generations

 

Thankful for the chance to be in a supportive role during this time of transition

 

As I had time working alone today, singing and praying, I told the Lord I'm ready for Him to come back anytime

 

Thankful for the hope of an eternity worshiping around the throne of God, enjoying Him forever!

 

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

 



Thankful Thursday

 

 

"And though the storms may come, I am holding on, to the Rock I cling..."

 

I have much to be thankful for

Especially that I have a God who is my Rock, who does not change

He is the same yesterday and today and forever

the storms will come...that's one thing you can count on

But I'm grateful that God does not abandon me in the storms

He reaches out with His strong arm and wraps me in His comforting embrace

There has been a lot of transition and change for me over the last few weeks

So thankful I am anchored to the Rock

So thankful He hears the cry of His children

So thankful He promises to respond when we call out to Him

Thankful for my family...for our time together on Skype Monday evening

Thankful for my wife who has walked beside me now for 32 years, 8 months, 9 days

She has been a faithful companion...can't imagine life without her

Thankful for songs that speak of God's goodness

Thankful for a roof over my head

As I see the reports out of TX and the developing hurricane in the Caribbean, and as I watched a violent wind storm rip through our neighborhood the other evening, I am grateful for shelter

Thankful that my son made it safely to TX and that he has the opportunity to serve those facing devastating life change over the next weeks, month, and maybe even years

Thankful for new jobs God has been providing

Thankful for His amazing grace

Thankful Thursday

 

 

I'm just a bit behind the eight ball on this, but really needed to take the time to reflect on what I have to be grateful for

 

It's been an emotional week

 

God is showing me His grace

 

Paul prayed for the Ephesians that they would know the hope of God's calling.  It's a prayer I've echoed for myself and those around me for years.  Sometimes that knowledge can get tangled up in life's events and I can begin to lose my way; lose the confidence of knowing why God has me here

 

But it's never really been about me, it is about trusting God

 

HE is deserving of all praise

 

HE is sovereign over all

 

HE is Lord and King

 

HE has the name above all names

 

HE is good

 

HE is faithful

 

HE holds the keys to set us free

 

HE is light, and He called this sinner out of darkness into His glorious light and now invites me to walk in the light and enjoy fellowship with Him

 

I sure don't know the path ahead; I'm not even guaranteed tomorrow.  But I do know that God, who holds all my tomorrows promises to walk that path with me.  And I know that at the end of my tomorrows there is one eternal day awaiting me in His presence!

 

For that I am extremely thankful.

 

And my prayer is that you have that same confidence; not in yourself, but in the God who made you and calls you to come and find all your fulfillment in HIM

 

 

Thankful Thursday

 

 

It has been an interesting week

 

I am very thankful that God has brought healing to my body

 

I've been doing demolition the last four days--can't imagine trying to do that a month ago

 

But my aches and pains are gone and my energy level is back to normal

 

On Sunday, my wife told me she was glad to hear me singing again

 

She went on to say that there had been a period of time where I played the piano, but didn't sing.  She asked if I was aware of that.  I hadn't really thought about it, but looking back I can see she is right.  I've been asking God to put a song in my heart.  I'm thankful He is a God who responds when we call out to Him.  Thankful for the songs He gives me

 

Yesterday we moved Chris' parents into their new apartment at a retirement community.  I'm thankful that went fairly smoothly. I'm grateful God provided a place for them to live, and thankful that He goes with them and will continue to guide them.

 

Tomorrow my son Adam comes home!  Haven't seen him since June 2nd.  I'm thankful for the experiences God has allowed him to have this summer.  Grateful that He is bringing Adam back.

 

My two brothers-in-law will be arriving late tomorrow evening.  Thankful for family, for the bond we share both physically and spiritually.  Grateful for time when God allows our paths to intersect

One of the songs I've been singing a lot lately has the line, "Who can save us from our sins?"  I am very thankful for Jesus, His sacrificial death on the cross, bearing the penalty for my sin, His triumphant victory over death, and His role as my intercessor at the right hand of the Father

And I am thankful that one day soon I will be with Him in glory, lifting up continual praise to Him for all eternity.